Your new organisation
BirdLife Australia is on a mission to put birds and nature on the path to recovery within a decade. With over 350,000 supporters, donors, volunteers, campaigners and members, you will join over 150 staff across Australia, and a network of more than 40 voluntary community groups. Together, our growing network of people stand together to help us protect Australia’s unique birdlife.
The opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to assist the Project’s Coordinator in the implementation of a new Birds on Farms habitat restoration project in the Lockyer-Toowoomba region in Queensland. The project aims to develop Habitat Restoration Plans with local landholders to restore woodland habitat, landscape connectivity, and populations of woodland birds on private rural properties, in accordance with the interventions outlined within BirdLife Australia’s Temperate Woodland Bird Conservation Action Plan.
To be successful in this role, you will need tertiary qualifications in Conservation Biology, Environmental Science or a related field, a demonstrated knowledge of woodland birds and their conservation in Australia, and experience working with volunteers and the rural community. A current driver’s licence is essential. Proficiency with mapping tools and relevant technical programs (e.g., ArcGIS or statistical analysis packages) is a desirable criteria, as is experience in threatened species management and recovery.
What you need to know
This is a part-time (0.5 FTE) role offered on a fixed-term contract for the initial appointment, and continuation will be subject to available funding. Please note, that this project is based in the Lockyer-Toowoomba area. It is expected that the successful applicant would be based in a home office situated within or adjoining the regional project area. Alternative locations will be considered based on strategic merit.
Position objective
The role of the Birds on Farms Project Officer (Lockyer-Toowoomba) is to support the implementation of a project aimed at restoring woodland habitat, landscape connectivity, and populations of woodland birds on private rural properties across the Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba area. The project has been established in January 2025 and uses a ‘Birds on Farms’ program approach that encourages landscape-scale management of temperate woodlands and associated habitats for woodland birds. The project consists of a combination of monitoring, community education and engagement, restoration planning with landholders, and seeking funds to undertake targeted on-ground habitat restoration. This position will assist the Project Coordinator in the delivery of this project.
Reporting
Birds on Farms Project Coordinator (Lockyer-Toowoomba)
Staff reporting
The position may occasionally involve overseeing volunteers and contractors.
Remuneration / Job Level
Part-time salary at Level 2, with level-based program complexity, scale, experience and expertise (based on published Level / Grade Remuneration Scales)
Key relationships
Internal: Director- Science and Priority Landscapes, Birds on Farms Program Manager, Birds on Farms Project Coordinator (Lockyer-Toowoomba), Executive Director Conservation & Science, Manager Woodland Birds and Conservation Action Plan (CAP), other Birds on Farms project staff across Australia, Senior Manager Nature Positive Partnerships, Chief Executive Officer, Director-Fundraising and Marketing, other Conservation & Science, Participation and Engagement, Strategy and Governance and Finance and Business Improvement team members, communications and engagement staff.
External: Local landholders, NRM bodies, Local Government, Landcare and community groups, BirdLife Australia Branches (Southern Queensland, Darling Downs), First Nations People (including Traditional Owners and representative groups), water authorities, birdwatchers, philanthropists, business and farming groups / associations, and the general public.
Travel requirements
Day trips within the project area will be regularly required. On occasions, some travel elsewhere within Queensland and Australia may be required.
Duties
Project activities will be undertaken with a range of project partners and volunteers, and under the guidance and direction of the Birds on Farms (Lockyer-Toowoomba) Project Coordinator.
Fieldwork and on-ground implementation
- Recruit new landholders and assist with identifying survey locations. Provide ongoing support for landholders. Engage/train volunteer birdwatchers. Coordinate quarterly 20 minute-2-hectare bird surveys.
- Assist in the development of Habitat Restoration Plans for private rural properties (e.g., strategic placement, landholder engagement, site activity planning and mapping and landholder agreements), and when funding is secured, assist with implementation and measure impact of any on-ground work projects associated with those plans, in consultation with key partners.
Communicate knowledge to landholders and other community members
- Encourage the retention and enhancement of important woodland habitat features, including floristically diverse vegetation structure, nest hollows, fallen woody debris, mistletoe. Concurrently, encourage the reduction of threatening processes for woodland birds such as introduced predators, weeds, fragmentation, chemical use, inappropriate grazing regimes, overabundant Noisy Miners, etc.
- Develop and distribute relevant education materials to raise public awareness of the key conservation needs of threatened and declining woodland birds.
- Develop and implement community education presentations to promote the ‘Birds on Farms’ program within and beyond the project area, including presentations to NRM managers, schools, Landcare groups, local community associations, other agencies, farmers and other landholders about the needs of woodland birds.
- Engage volunteers, community groups and indigenous Australians in the project.
- Attend field day events and other community events to disseminate information, promote events and encourage community participation in recovery.
- Foster and maintain partnerships with the project partners and volunteers (e.g., Landcare, farmer groups, NRM, BirdLife Branches, community groups, etc.).
Manage databases and records
- Assist in the maintenance and management of project-generated data being added to relevant BirdLife Australia databases, such as the Birdata sightings database and our customer relations management system.
- Assist in the maintenance and management of project information in Excel spreadsheets.
Organisational representations and specialist knowledge
- Represent BirdLife Australia and our values when meeting with decision makers, donors and potential delivery partners.
- Provide expert advice (as required) to partner organisations and stakeholders in relation to the project’s objectives and outcomes.
Operational planning (As required to assist the Project Coordinator)
- Project coordination and implementation, including administration and reporting.
- Manage and deliver contract and project milestones on time and within budget as per funding agreements.
- Work with project partners and relevant BirdLife Australia staff to develop project communications material, including brochures and presentations for use in workshops.
- Manage the safety and wellbeing of volunteers, contractors and other participants engaged in the project. This might involve developing and updating Risk Assessments as per BirdLife Australia’s OHS requirements.
Selection Criteria
Essential
- A Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology, Environmental Science or related field
- Demonstrated knowledge of woodland birds and their conservation in Australia
- Knowledge of habitat restoration techniques used in agricultural landscapes
- Excellent communications skills, including public speaking and writing for a variety of audiences
- Experience in working with volunteers and the rural community
- A current driver’s licence
Desirable
- Knowledge of issues affecting rural land holders and communities in the region, including the agricultural sector
- Experience working with rural community groups on land management and/or habitat restoration
- Experience in rural extension work
- Proficiency with mapping tools and relevant technical programs (e.g., ArcGIS, statistical analysis packages).
Workstyle, attributes, and attitudes
- A high level of professionalism in all work
- A team player with a highly collaborative style and flexibility
- Responds positively to feedback and accommodates change, ability to provide constructive feedback
- Ability to work well with minimum supervision, accepts high level responsibility for workplan delivery
- A willingness and capacity to work flexible hours as and when required
How to apply
Any questions can be directed to Margot Oorebeek (c/- margot.oorebeek@birdlife.org.au).
Your application must include a cover letter, a statement briefly addressing the selection criteria and your current resume.
Applicants must possess corresponding work rights to be eligible for appointment and a current national police check (NPC) (or willingness to obtain).
BirdLife Australia is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applications close at 5pm, Wednesday 7 May 2025.
